HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-18 Board of Health Minutes O� nrptgO' I
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
'� Irh fir` TOWN CLERK
READING MA
Board - Committee - commission - Council:
2'I3 AUG 20
Board of Health S 4Z
Date: 2019-06-18 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Kevin M. Sexton, Eleanor Tate Shonkoff, Emmy Dove, Lara Romanowski
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Jean Delios, Health Agent Laura Vlasuk
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Lara Romanowski
Topics of Discussion:
Sexton opened meeting at 6:35pm
Chair Report
• Thanked Heidi Pfeiffer for her service as associate board member; her term has ended.
Heath Agent Report
• Summarized key slats—44 Food Inspection/reinspection's(see attached)
Discussion regarding the draft inspection spreadsheet
• Shonkoff: Spreadsheet is a great start;also seeking feedback from the business community.
• Romanowski: Let's start simple,what is the purpose of this,and what are we trying to solve for?
• Sexton: Need to protect public health; the public can already access inspection reports at town hall or
at each specific establishment. Doesn't believe posting the establishment names is necessary.
• Vlasuk:Zero foodborne outbreaks or illnesses in the past two years.
• Dove:The purpose of the spreadsheet is for the Board of Health to track inspection activity. It could
also be used as another mechanism for public consumption which will have some of that information
but not all.Would want to have establishment names in the spreadsheet.There's plenty of towns that
post establishment names.
• Shonkoff: Doesn't feel the information is readily accessible to the public. Unclear on level of detail that
will be available to the public in spreadsheet.
Opening up the discussion to public commentary
• Diane Manahan, Pamplemousse: How often do people in Reading look for reports?
• Vlasuk: In two years, only Reading Board of Health members have asked for reports.
• Art, Columbo Plzzena: This was done for 1-2 weeks about 5 years ago; people didn't like it.
• Chris, Cafe Nero:The 2013 food code allows for a sign in front of establishment describing that
customers can request inspection report.There's different level 1, 2, 3's. The businesses are more
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concerned with the customers than the Board of Health is because they don't want to lose a customer.
We all want to protect customers.
• Dove:Could we consider rolling out spreadsheet to only the Board of Health first?
• Kristin, Food Services Director School Town of Reading: 1)If there's no opportunity to describe
violation,then just opening up for criticism that is unwarranted.The violation isn't the problem, it is the
ability to understand what is being done to prevent it in future 2)Any documentation that the Board of
Health uses is a public record, so cautions on whatever decision is made, it may cause unintended
consequences.
• Michael Palmer, Fusilli s:Was very upset with the BOH. It's going to make Reading very non-
competitive,especially due to social media, lots of misinterpretation.As a town, economically,you will
dis-encourage people from going to establishments, businesses are being publicly shamed. Nothing
wrong with existing process.Would prefer to pull health license,than surfacing this information for
sharing on social media.
• Carmen,Venation Moon: It seems like the Board is looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't
exist. There is no problem.All information is available to the public. It's going to cost city town a lot of
money, and doesn't make any sense.
• Elish, Bunratty Tavern:The most important thing is to keep their customers happy and healthy. Putting
this information online will cause mass hysteria and ruin businesses.
• Diane Manahan, Pamplemousse: Some health code violations are very minor, and people don't
understand the details. Some people have nothing better to do than slander businesses.
• Michael Palmer: Small businesses are being handcuffed.
• Lisa Eagan, Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce:will read statement in packet. (attached)
• Bill Cushing, Christopher's Restaurant: Operating in town for 27 years.This will create a problem, not
solve one.There isn't a problem.
• Sexton:This 3-person Board is messy due to open meeting laws. Bear with us as we work through
this, it is the first time discussing in the open in front of you,that's where we are tonight. It doesn't
seem like we're ready to come to a conclusion tonight.
• Shonkoff: Not ready to make a decision tonight,want to take feedback from tonight into account.
• Dove:Agree, not ready to make a decision tonight.
• Emily, Bagel World:Would want to see what other towns,their size, location,and feedback on output
of inspection reporting. Be very specific about showing why it's a good idea. Reading is not New York,
it is not Boston.
«5 minute break>>
Review of tree lawn policy
• Asked Chair of the Select Board to send us all their feedback to discuss at the next Board of Health
meeting.
Review minutes
5/21/19-Minutes accepted, as amended.
4/23/19-Minutes accepted.
Sexton adjourned meeting at 6:05pm.
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